President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Tulsa native William “B.J.” O’Connor when he arrives at the airport in Enid, Oklahoma, on Saturday, May 6, 2006. O’Connor, a junior at Oklahoma State University, is a volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ and a variety of Oklahoma State University community service projects. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush has met with more than 490 individuals around the country, like O’Connor, since March 2002.

In March, O’Connor spent his spring break in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, Louisiana, working on Hurricane Katrina clean-up efforts with other volunteers from Campus Crusade for Christ. Throughout the week of service, he helped gut eight homes that were uninhabitable due to mold and flood damage. O’Connor also volunteers with two of Oklahoma State University’s annual community outreach programs, The Big Event and Into the Streets. These events bring together student, staff, and faculty volunteers to help beautify the Stillwater community through clean-up projects at schools, homes, and senior citizen centers. In addition, O’Connor assists during the American Red Cross blood drives by encouraging student participation and performing blood pressure and temperature checks on volunteers.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

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